What's wrong with a kid being "overscheduled"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bored kids are boring kids

Yet it’s the parents of the kids making mud pies in the backyard complaining. If their kids are so occupied and entertained what do they care what another family’s schedule looks like?

Do you not care about trying to have a society and humankind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bored kids are boring kids

Yet it’s the parents of the kids making mud pies in the backyard complaining. If their kids are so occupied and entertained what do they care what another family’s schedule looks like?

Do you not care about trying to have a society and humankind?

Not with plain hippies

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bored kids are boring kids

Are you saying because your pro overscheduling or against it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bored kids are boring kids

Yet it’s the parents of the kids making mud pies in the backyard complaining. If their kids are so occupied and entertained what do they care what another family’s schedule looks like?

Do you not care about trying to have a society and humankind?

Explain how after school sport are destroying humankind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bored kids are boring kids

Yet it’s the parents of the kids making mud pies in the backyard complaining. If their kids are so occupied and entertained what do they care what another family’s schedule looks like?

Do you not care about trying to have a society and humankind?

Not sure how my child playing soccer or dancing is hurting society?

My kids play sports, play instruments, do well in school and an active social life.

I’m not sure what age OP and pp think should be sitting at home playing in the backyard. My boys use to dig for worms and play with leaves around age 6 and under.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

+1 totally agree, although I think it's great for a kid to hopefully have a fun neighborhood scene/experience for as long or as short as it might last

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

It’s so obvious this faux concern was always about other people not knowing how to entertain their own kids and wanting free babysitting or entertianment. They are bragging that unscheduled kids are more creative and can handle boredom but that doesn’t really ring true. Just give your bored kids a book and move on. If another kid wants to dance or play the cello it’s not your business.

[Anonymous]

i was raised by Wu Tang and turned out fine. The kids will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

It’s so obvious this faux concern was always about other people not knowing how to entertain their own kids and wanting free babysitting or entertianment. They are bragging that unscheduled kids are more creative and can handle boredom but that doesn’t really ring true. Just give your bored kids a book and move on. If another kid wants to dance or play the cello it’s not your business.

No, it would just be nice for kids to be able to see and play with their friends in an unorganized way, and not just constant organized activities. It has nothing to do with free babysitting and not being able to entertain your kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

It’s so obvious this faux concern was always about other people not knowing how to entertain their own kids and wanting free babysitting or entertianment. They are bragging that unscheduled kids are more creative and can handle boredom but that doesn’t really ring true. Just give your bored kids a book and move on. If another kid wants to dance or play the cello it’s not your business.

It's genuinely fascinating to see someone who sees people wanting their kids to have unstructured play and thinks they're trying to score free babysitting. If can't imagine how you survive with such a dismal view of the world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

It’s so obvious this faux concern was always about other people not knowing how to entertain their own kids and wanting free babysitting or entertianment. They are bragging that unscheduled kids are more creative and can handle boredom but that doesn’t really ring true. Just give your bored kids a book and move on. If another kid wants to dance or play the cello it’s not your business.

It's genuinely fascinating to see someone who sees people wanting their kids to have unstructured play and thinks they're trying to score free babysitting. If can't imagine how you survive with such a dismal view of the world.

Nobody is stopping your kid from unstructured play. Nobody cares what your kid is doing, it is you trying to bend everyone else to your will.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Over scheduling is good for most American parents because if they had to quietly sit with their spouse and kids you know they would go crazy.

None of this comes across as very genuine. Why do people care what other parents do with their spare time? It’s like the redshirting debate. They care because they fear their own kids are missing out, will be left behind in the dust, or that playmates can’t entertain their own bored kids giving them the downtime they, the parents want, but refuse to pay for or drive their kids to. Figure out how to entertain your bored kids without trying to drag everyone else down.

It’s hard to give kids a normal childhood when all the other kids around them aren’t around. This is not about giving myself downtime.

+1

Everyone can make their own choices and that's what's happening, obviously. No one is trying to pass some kind of ban on kid activities. People are also pointing out that yes this impacts the overall vibe and feel of a neighborhood, whether kids are available for unplanned play, etc. That is true and the comparison to redshirting is apt - there are impacts on other kids.

I don't see why anyone is denying that. You can still make whatever decisions are best for your family. No one is forcing you to take this other stuff into account.

It’s so obvious this faux concern was always about other people not knowing how to entertain their own kids and wanting free babysitting or entertianment. They are bragging that unscheduled kids are more creative and can handle boredom but that doesn’t really ring true. Just give your bored kids a book and move on. If another kid wants to dance or play the cello it’s not your business.

It's genuinely fascinating to see someone who sees people wanting their kids to have unstructured play and thinks they're trying to score free babysitting. If can't imagine how you survive with such a dismal view of the world.

Nobody is stopping your kid from unstructured play. Nobody cares what your kid is doing, it is you trying to bend everyone else to your will.

You sound completely insane, you realize that right?

[Anonymous]

Nobody wants unstructured playtime in uuu a bunch of freelloaders

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you have to add tutoring to the list of activities then you've gone too far. Activities should never interfere with school work and adequate sleep.

I had an amusing conversation with a middle school parent who was complaining that her son's baseball schedule was making him fall behind in school and that she had to take him to Kumon. I was like, why don't you drop down to a rec league or pause sports. Some parents think sports is the only way to get admitted to college and forget that grades matter for everyone unless they are some 1 in a million prodigy. (Her son was no such prodigy.)

Wow. Broad, sweeping generalization based on *one* child you know. My kid would need tutoring even if he had no other activities. That does not negate the value of the other activities. 🙄